Special Issues

Henry Rollins: Capitalism comes to Santa Fe

Be there or be jerks.

September 21, 2012, 10:10 pm

By Alex De Vore

Everybody loves Rollins!

With performances in all 50 states (plus Washington DC), the legendary Henry Rollins is out to inform with his new event, Capitalism. Featuring tales of his life as a writer, actor, traveler, punk rock icon and more, Capitalism is bound to be one of the coolest things to happen in Santa Fe...well, ever. Think of it as one part spoken word event, one part semi-informal lesson in the democratic process. In what was both a terrifying prospect and tremendous personal honor, I spoke with Rollins via email...ch-check it out below.

You travel so much, will this be your first time in Santa Fe?No. I have done a few shows there, although, it has been awhile.

Could Capitalism be considered almost like campaigning—are you trying tosway people one way or another, or just provide information/diminishthe stigma of boring politics?I would never try to tell someone who to vote for. I do advisethat you vote if it’s possible. Democracy needs you. Past that, it’sreally your business who you vote for. I really don’t have anyinterest in who moves you as long as someone does enough to get you tovote.

So do you think it’s necessary for people in the public eye like yourselfto bring light to certain issues…like a, “should you use yournotoriety for the good of humanity vs. serving personal interest?”type thing…No. It’s an elective. You do what you think is the right thingto do. It’s not an obligation by any means.

On your 2008 Recountdown tour, you mentioned being hopeful for Americapost-Bush. Are you still hopeful now as we head to the end of Obama’sfirst term?Absolutely. I think the president is doing a great job,considering the waste of time Congress he has to wrestle with. It isquite amazing the amount he has pulled off in spite of things being asthey are.

Obviously a lot of people know you as a punk icon, but you act, speak,write, photograph, document, endlessly travel and so forth. What ledyou to pursue so many non-music areas?Because when you’re small of fame and not really good at anyof it, you can do a lot of things. I just go for it, what led me waswhat always does—my curiosity.

So then would you say people more aware of you as a sort of journalistic activist, or asthat one dude from Black Flag these days? Both?I don’t know. You would have to ask them. I just do the work.

People keep bringing up your age like it’s some sort of magicaccomplishment and it seems weird. I am, however, curious about whatit’s like to get older while trying to hold on to the “punk rock”partsof yourself. Can you speak to that?I don’t try to hold onto anything. I just do my work and don’tthink about the rest. Life is too short to lock yourself intoanything. I have a lot of things I have tasked myself with and so I dothem. Past that, there is no past that for me really.

Were you as sad as me about Clint Eastwood? Man, that was sad.No. He was doing what he wanted. He said later that the Romneypeople were stupid to bring him on. He was pathetic but that was allup to him and he brought on himself.